What the European Union says about the use of phytosanitary products
Since 2009, the European Union has had a clear directive regarding the use of phytosanitary products. This is Directive 2009/128/EC, also known as the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive. Its objective is to reduce the risks and impacts of pesticides on human health and the environment, by encouraging the adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) and promoting alternative agricultural practices.
Among the member states of the European Union, strong positions have also emerged in recent years. In France, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food has implemented the Écophyto II plan and the Écophyto II+ plan, both aimed at reducing the use of plant protection products. In Spain, another plan of this kind has emerged under the name National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products. A similar plan can also be found in Italy under the same name.
This clearly shows that the desire to reduce the use of phytosanitary products in favor of alternative solutions is widely shared across Europe. This initiative is also found internationally, especially in certain states of the United States such as California, New York, and Washington.
Focus on biocontrol, fertilizers, and biostimulants
Biocontrol is an interesting natural alternative to combat biotic stress in plants. Biotic stress, in short, encompasses various living aggressions that plants face, including pests, insects, crop pests, diseases, and parasitic plants.
Fertilizers, on the other hand, provide plants with the necessary nutrients they need for proper growth. They can notably correct nutrient deficiencies in poor soils and are used as direct nutritional sources, unlike biostimulants which enhance the plants’ ability to absorb naturally occurring nutrients from the soil.
Moreover, biostimulants have other goals, including combatting abiotic stress, such as extreme climatic conditions to which plants may be exposed, like drought, temperature fluctuations, windy conditions, etc. They positively influence the functioning and development of plants and soil, improving yield and playing a key role in the agroecological transition. Indeed, today, biostimulants are recognized as a solution that is both innovative and effective, which helps reduce the use of fertilizers and phytosanitary products. From the standpoint of sustainable agriculture, this supplementary solution distinguishes itself and provides new opportunities for the agricultural sector.
